Huayu: Are you even sitting up straight? You're going to be the director?

Chapter 27 Ozu Yasujiro, why don't you apologize?

With all contracts finalized, Cao Zhong, through Chengying Creative Studio, jointly signed a letter with China Film Group and the Performance Academy of Beijing Film Academy to the city of NJ.

The statement indicated that they wanted to film a tribute video for Nanjing and hoped that Nanjing could provide some assistance.

Cao Zhong didn't know if there were any dates left, but he was going to give it a shot.

Of course, the main purpose was to give Nanjing some familiarity with the situation and ensure that they wouldn't be devoured whole with nowhere to hide.

The dean of the Performance Department at Beijing Film Academy knew that the department had produced an outlier.

He highly regarded the young man, believing Cao Zhong to be the hope of the Beijing Film Academy's acting department. Since it was just a matter of stamping his name, he naturally did not stand in his way.

As for China Film Group, Han Sanpin naturally had no objections to this.

On the contrary, Han Sanpin highly approves of Cao Zhong's execution ability.

In less than a month, Cao Zhong had already completed the entire framework and quickly selected the actors.

Han Sanpin frowned somewhat at the people he had chosen.

Overall, it's still acceptable.

Although Han Sanpin believed that these people might not be able to carry a large box office, the deal was ultimately finalized.

Making big money was something Han Sanpin dared not even dream of.

With the help of Cao Zhong, we can try a new perspective on the narrative of World War II, which can be considered an alternative attempt.

Not a bad thing.

"I will arrange for a representative to join the crew to assist you with the filming. If you have any questions, just contact him directly."

After meeting with Cao Zhong after completing all the procedures, Han Sanpin encouraged Cao Zhong.

"Xiao Cao, do your job well, speak boldly, and if you cause any trouble, I'll cover for you."

Cao Zhong was overjoyed and held Han Sanpin's hand tightly.

"Mr. Han, you said it yourself, you can't go back on your word."

"Am I the type to go back on my word?"

Han Sanpin laughed, "Your script passed the review thanks to me banging on the table in front of many leaders. I, Han Sanpin, am a man of my word! How could I go back on my word?!"

Cao Zhong was truly grateful.

He was not a child of privilege, nor did he have Tianming's father.

Although I have come this far thanks to my talent and hard work.

But Han Sanpin is indeed a charismatic leader in the film industry.

Cao Zhong thought about it and couldn't help but admire him.

The representative who was assigned here was named Han Zheng.

He was also surnamed Han, but he wasn't a relative of Han Sanpin. At first, Cao Zhong thought the other party had sent a member of their family, which startled him.

Han Zheng was Han Sanpin's former subordinate at the Beijing Film Studio, but he was quite young. Han Sanpin was also considering Cao Zhong's age and hoped to find someone Cao Zhong could get along with to work with, so as to avoid differences of opinion between the two and cause problems in the filming process.

It is clear that Han Sanpin attaches great importance to this project.

Han Zheng also had great respect for Cao Zhong. Before he came, President Han had given him a lot of advice.

The content is all official jargon and clichés.

Han Zheng understood.

Han Sanpin has high hopes for young people.

For Cao Zhong, these expectations are even higher.

In Han Sanpin's daily interactions, Han Zheng even felt that in Han Sanpin's heart, Cao Zhong was more important than Ning Hao.

This left Han Zheng somewhat puzzled.

About a week later, they received a reply from Nanjing.

The reply expressed gratitude to China Film Group, Beijing Film Academy, and Cao Zhong for their commemoration of the relevant events and offered to provide some assistance.

For example, Shiqiu Film and Television Base,

This base is currently under construction and is a key cultural industry project in JS Province during the "Eleventh Five-Year Plan" period, aiming to become the Universal Studios of the East.

Nanjing replied that the film crew would be allowed to go to the Shiqiu Film and Television Base for filming, provided that it would not affect the normal construction of the base.

The base will open its doors wide to all conveniences.

This greatly excited Cao Zhong. Although the first phase of the Shiqiu Film and Television Base was not yet completed,
But Nanjing in 1937,
It's much easier to find the scenery here than to do it yourself.

After scouting locations at the Shiqiu Film and Television Base, Cao Zhong became even more excited.

It has everything a film and television base should have, which can help film crews save a lot of resources.

About a week later, the core team members gathered together for the first time, and the preparatory work was fully launched.

After everyone finished discussing the meeting, Han Zheng said, "Director Cao, President Han highly approves of the production team's progress and also asked me to tell you that if you have any requests, you can boldly make them."

Cao Zhongdao:
"I plan to hold a project launch ceremony at China Film Group to generate some buzz for this film in the media."

You know, I'm not a famous director.

The actors I selected are all from mainland China, which is inherently less appealing than actors from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. Therefore, I believe they should receive the necessary publicity.

Therefore, I hope that President Han can personally come forward and support me.

Han Zheng agreed.

"I will report this to President Han. This is a matter of course, and President Han will probably approve of it."

"Thank you, Brother Han!"

Cao Zhong expressed his gratitude. During this time, Cao Zhong felt very comfortable, as if he had entered the final, intense period of filmmaking in his previous life, spending his days recording and revising the script.

However, these are mostly minor details that do not affect the main plot at all.

……

A few more days passed.

China Film Group, Chengying Film Group, including Wang Hongwei and others, jointly determined the project's initiation time.

It is scheduled for November 17th.

Han Sanpin also confirmed that he would attend the project's inauguration ceremony to support Cao Zhong.

Cao Zhong informed the entire team and asked them to go. He also instructed Qi Jiuzhou and Wang Renjun to contact the largest media outlet in the capital, seemingly intending to make a big splash.

Wang Renjun was honest and focused on getting things done.

Qi Jiuzhou, however, keenly sensed something.

Cao Zhong has been under a lot of pressure lately.

And it seems they're preparing for something.

"Brother Zhong, you seem to be in a bad mood lately, and you look very serious?"

"It's nothing, I'm just a little nervous as the deadline approaches."

"Are you worried the movie won't turn out well?" Qi Jiuzhou asked.

"Actually, no, it's just that I might have something to say at the press conference."

Silence fell over the room.

"So, that's why Brother Zhong asked us that day, 'We don't ask to live together, but we ask to die together'?"

Qi Jiuzhou had been pondering these words for a long time, and finally asked them now.

He had been holding it in for a long time.

"I suppose so," Cao Zhong said. "To be honest, the impact might be quite significant."

“Being a director means having to speak,” Qi Jiuzhou said. “My dad told me this a long time ago: no matter what Brother Zhong has to say, I’ll stand by your side.”

Cao Zhong expressed his gratitude.

11 month 17 day.

The launch ceremony for the "Nanjing Photo Studio" project has begun.

As a low-budget film, although Huang Xiaoming joined the cast as a young actor, no Hong Kong or Taiwanese actors were involved, so it did not attract much media attention.

However, Cao Zhong invited a lot of media, so major portal websites and media outlets in Beijing came to visit.

Beijing Film Studio, a subsidiary of China Film Group Corporation.

The project launch ceremony began here.

Numerous media outlets, armed with their cameras and microphones, were already on high alert, waiting in ambush.

The media knew Han Sanpin was coming and were ready to take pictures of the protagonist of China Film Group.

The main creators, actors, and others all took their seats as usual.

Later, Han Zheng and others began to talk with Cao Zhong, and also answered reporters' questions.

The family was happy and harmonious.

Afterwards, there will be media interviews and dialogues with the director.

Cao Zhong stepped onto the stage, picked up the microphone, and answered reporters' questions.

"Director Cao, we all know this is your first time directing a film. We'd like to know what the behind-the-scenes stories are about your creation of this story?"

Cao Zhong picked up the microphone, glanced at Qi Jiuzhou, and then at Han Sanpin, who was waiting to make his grand finale appearance.

He raised his head.

His gaze was fixed intently on everyone's cameras.

"The background to my creation of this story is because I am deeply saddened by the education system of the China Film Academy."

The crowd was in an uproar.

In the auditorium, everyone suddenly looked up.

I don't know what I heard.

Senseless!

Huang Xiaoming blinked, looking shocked.

Cao Zhong ignored what the others were saying.
He spoke softly, almost as if talking to himself, yet also as if slowly questioning:

"When I studied film history, I discovered that film history highly praised Yasujiro Ozu, the master of East Asian aesthetics and the first director of Japan. The entire film and television education industry regards the tatami perspective and empty shots in Tokyo Story as avant-garde art and teaches us to study them."

But I saw countless instances of hypocrisy in them.
I witnessed the collective cultural aphasia of Chinese directors.

I've seen some people's subservience.
I've seen the lack of heart in domestic art education.
I found some delightful sights in insects.

I am heartbroken.

I mourn those who sacrificed themselves along the way, and those who have been forgotten...

My heart is breaking.

Cao Zhongdao said, "Moreover, I find it particularly strange that Ozu Yasujiro, whom you all admire, doesn't apologize."

With a whoosh, the entire auditorium fell into shock!
(End of this chapter)